Looking to hear experiences of others...

CutHighnLetFly said:
I have been offered a job opportunity and I am looking to hear other people's experience with similar situation. Ill give any details i feel are relevant.
Im 26 with around 5-6 years experience in production arboriculture. I've worked for a medium size landscape company when i was in the first year/year and a half. I left there to move to a powerhouse tree company. bucket trucks, 15"-18" chippers, log truck, utility work, big trees removals and pruning.
i love climbing and the exposure to a wide array of situations that present themselves working for such an established company in my area.
recently, the landscape company i worked for (run by a guy who s love is tree work, spent his years, before owning this landscape company, doing tree work) offered me a job. The position is as an arborist, i would be clear of doing any sort of landscape stuff, other than ornamental pruning, which i never get to do anymore and miss doing. things like pruning Rhody's and ornamental trees and doing 3 year renovations on overgrown foundation shrubs.
part of this position would be to create a tree division. the company has a 12" bandit in pretty good shape, a rigging block some tree blue and husky 1/2" dub braid, mini skids, and cab over trucks. and obviously some chain saws. what it lacks is any sort of efficient set up using said equipment for tree jobs, as well as a culture of safety. I imagine trying to change the attitude about safety as it pertains to tree work will be pretty tough.
I am intrigued by the challenge and change of pace, as well as the opportunity to do more plant care, as what i do now is big(relatively speaking)/technical/hard access removals. i would be leaving out a KEY detail if i didn't mention the pay increase. its not substantial, but I've reached a bit of a cap where i am at (for now) and this job offer is for a little more money. probably more than i could get anywhere else if i were to leave my current employer, because the company owner knows me and my abilities/reliability and my love for the industry.
what i am leaving is an excellent field arborist position running a crew with a rear mount and box truck. its a progressive company with a sweet new shop, tool incentives (i have so much gear already...), and just does plain badass tree work. i won't be exposed to the same level of tree work to start, and i know ill miss it. but the pace they try to keep my crew at is draining, and I'm not sure how long I'm trying to work at that level at a place where I'm not sure if there is a higher position for me to strive for. they are the power house they are because they have all the right pieces in the right places already.

so who's made a similar move and who's passed up a similar opportunity while in a similar one? anyone? if anyone has any experience similar to this, id love to hear how things played out for you, might help clear things up for me. thanks guys.
Click to expand...

Sound's like they need an 'Operation's Manager",,,sorry, I am not available,,:bailando:
Jeff
 
CutHighnLetFly said:
I have been offered a job opportunity and I am looking to hear other people's experience with similar situation. Ill give any details i feel are relevant.
Im 26 with around 5-6 years experience in production arboriculture. I've worked for a medium size landscape company when i was in the first year/year and a half. I left there to move to a powerhouse tree company. bucket trucks, 15"-18" chippers, log truck, utility work, big trees removals and pruning.
i love climbing and the exposure to a wide array of situations that present themselves working for such an established company in my area.
recently, the landscape company i worked for (run by a guy who s love is tree work, spent his years, before owning this landscape company, doing tree work) offered me a job. The position is as an arborist, i would be clear of doing any sort of landscape stuff, other than ornamental pruning, which i never get to do anymore and miss doing. things like pruning Rhody's and ornamental trees and doing 3 year renovations on overgrown foundation shrubs.
part of this position would be to create a tree division. the company has a 12" bandit in pretty good shape, a rigging block some tree blue and husky 1/2" dub braid, mini skids, and cab over trucks. and obviously some chain saws. what it lacks is any sort of efficient set up using said equipment for tree jobs, as well as a culture of safety. I imagine trying to change the attitude about safety as it pertains to tree work will be pretty tough.
I am intrigued by the challenge and change of pace, as well as the opportunity to do more plant care, as what i do now is big(relatively speaking)/technical/hard access removals. i would be leaving out a KEY detail if i didn't mention the pay increase. its not substantial, but I've reached a bit of a cap where i am at (for now) and this job offer is for a little more money. probably more than i could get anywhere else if i were to leave my current employer, because the company owner knows me and my abilities/reliability and my love for the industry.
what i am leaving is an excellent field arborist position running a crew with a rear mount and box truck. its a progressive company with a sweet new shop, tool incentives (i have so much gear already...), and just does plain badass tree work. i won't be exposed to the same level of tree work to start, and i know ill miss it. but the pace they try to keep my crew at is draining, and I'm not sure how long I'm trying to work at that level at a place where I'm not sure if there is a higher position for me to strive for. they are the power house they are because they have all the right pieces in the right places already.

so who's made a similar move and who's passed up a similar opportunity while in a similar one? anyone? if anyone has any experience similar to this, id love to hear how things played out for you, might help clear things up for me. thanks guys.
Click to expand...

What do you think about Los Angeles, Ca.,? Maybe an op's guy? don't hurt to try, there is an opening,,http://urbantreecare.com/
Jeff
 
No one has said this yet, so- if the safety isn't where you want it, and he's asking you to lead tree ops, then make it clear that it's going to go your way. Add this in the discussion others have suggested about the long term plans. If you're a part of the big picture, you need to have this level of authority. Make sure you have the pull you need to get things done, or you will be miserable, getting jerked around, even by well-meaning bosses.

Also, reiterating what others have said, think of your body's long term needs, and build a plan around that. You said you're competitive and like to push yourself. Make sure you establish a plan with the owner that will compensate you for it.

Next, make sure to add in your discussions a firm plan of communication. Other buzzers can chime in on some key things for you to keep track of; just make sure you have his word (preferably in writing) how often you will meet and what you will go over. You will need to be in the know in order to do your best. Make sure there is room for that.

Finally, find someone who has been there, done that, and has walked business and family healthily. Stay in their hip pocket, pick their brain, and consider their criticism with much weight. This is the most important and should be the first step in pursuing this opportunity.

I think it sounds good, but should be pursued carefully and with wisdom. You don't have to solve it all in one meeting, and don't agree to anything without taking a step away and considering.
 
Man you guys have been real helpful in giving me stuff to think about and help be confident in my decision. Thanks again, I feel much more comfortable moving forward and communicating my wants/needs/concerns. Your time invested in all responses was helpful
 
Just to update this thread, job switch is going very smooth. The ppl working with me an accepting of rocking the helmets and if I'm on the ground they don't cut much since I'm the one who while throw in chaps.
Company owner dove right in and bought a rearmount bucket today. ALC, short wheel base baby. Things seem to be moving in the right direction, interested to see how well the sales staff reel in the tree work...
 
Glad to hear it is going well. I manage a trim dept with 28 guys. Running stuff is def interesting. Hit me up if u have any questions( I will try to help) one thing I always try to do is protect the field guys from a lot of the shit that comes from above. I try and run things and train in a way that I would have liked/respected when I was banging in the field every day. Still climbing a lot def helps when running things. It would be 100 times harder if I couldn't walk the walk. It's tough to run a business and make sure every one stays safe and is treated fairly. At the end of the day u will be getting it from the field guys and the owner/ upper management/sales. Do what u say u will and don't be a hypocrite. It's an exciting challenge, good luck!
 
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